Key carrier



Sept. 8, 1964 J. w. RYAN 3,147,609

KEY CARRIER Filed.v March l2 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l g//L//V W @yA/V BY W J. W. RYAN KEY CARRIER Sept. 8, 1964 Filed March l2, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Jay/v w @yA/v Mraz/vir vsaid second chamber.

United States Patent O 3,147,609 rar e In general, the present invention involves a simple, economical key carrier. More particularly, the present invention involves a key carrier adapted to selectively position a plurality of keys in individual compartments and to permit easy insertion and removal of keys therefrom.

A Wide variety of cases have been utilized in the past to carry keys and to permit their individual selection for use. However, such prior art key carriers frequently permitted the keys to be intermingled so that they would have to be sorted out each time a new key was selected for use. Furthermore, frequently it required considerable effort and a complicated method to remove and insert keys in such key carriers. Numerous attempts have been made to solve these problems, as illustrated by Mangan, U.S. Patent No. 2,008,398; Brugnoni, U.S. Patent No. 2,270,- 621; and Ziegeweid, U. S. Patent No. 2,344,581. However, such prior art key carriers required complicated structure to achieve their desired results and, consequently, were expensive to manufacture and easily broken.

In general, therefore, an object of the present invention is a simple, economical key carrier which is both compact and durable.

Another object of the present invention is a key carrier adapted to selectively position a plurality of keys in individual compartments.

Another object of the present invention is a key carrier adapted to permit easy insertion and removal of keys therefrom.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

1n general, the present invention involves a key carrier comprising a container having a top cover and a bottom cover with front and rear portions. Such container includes wall means extending between said covers adapted to form a plurality of individual key compartments. The top cover has a plurality of holes therethrough so that each of said key compartments has a corresponding hole. Between the top and bottom covers are partition means which are adapted to separate each of the key compartments into a iirst chamber adjoining said bottom cover and a second chamber adjoining said top cover., Each of said first chambers has a hole communicating therewith through the front portion of the key carrier and is adapted to slidably receive a key therein through its opening. The partition means has a first aperture therein connecting said chambers adjacent the front portion and a second aperture therein connecting said chambers adjacent the rear portion for each of the key compartments. Extending longitudinally in each of the second chambers is a spring means which has a first pawl adjacent to the front portion adapted to be inserted into and removed from its corresponding iirst chamber through the first partition aperture.

lThe spring means also has a second pawl adjacent its rear portion adapted to be inserted into and removed from its corresponding rst chamber through said second partition aperture. Adjoining the central portion of each of said spring means is a button means extending through its corresponding compartment hole in the top cover. Such bottom means is biased by said spring means to extend out of said top cover hole and is adapted to be pushed into Between said button means and said pawls are fulcrum means adapted to position said 3, l 47,6 9 Patented Sept. 8, 1964 ICC pawls with respect to said rst chamber when said button means is operated. Extending substantially perpendicular to the key compartments adjacent to the front portion is a movable retaining bar means. Such retaining bar means has a plurality of detents so that each of said key compartments has its corresponding detent. Also, said movable retaining bar means is adapted to partially block said rst chamber openings by aligning said detents therewith.

In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the appended drawings of a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention. Such drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention which is properly set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a plan view of the key carrier of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the upper portion of the present invention, i.e. the top cover, the spring means and the retaining bar means.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View of FIG. 2 taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional View of FIG. 2 taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional View of FIG. 2 taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional View of FIG. 2 taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FlG. 8 is a front end View of FIG. l.

ln general, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the key carrier of the present invention involves a container 10 having a top cover 11, and a bottom cover 12 and a front panel 13 and a rear panel 14 formed by extensions of the top and bottom covers 11 and 12, respectively. Extending between the covers 11 and 12 and the panels 13 and 14 are a plurality of spaced, parallel wall means 15. The wall means 15 are adapted to form a plurality of individual key compartments 16. As illustrated, the wall means are formed by a plurality of iins 17 extending inwardly from the top cover and a plurality of fins 18 extending inwardly from the bottom cover. The leading edges 17 and 1S', respectively, of each adjacent pair of top and bottom iins adjoineach other. The top cover 11 has a plurality of holes 19 theretlnough so that each of the key compartments 16 has a corresponding hole 19.

Between and substantially parallel to the top and bottom covers 11 and 12, respectively, are partition means 20. As illustrated, the partition means 20 comprises a single plate 21. The partition means 20 is adapted to separate each of the key compartments 16 into a first chamber 22 adjoining the bottom cover 12 and a second chamber 23 adjoining the top cover 11. The front panel 13 has a plurality of openings 24 therethrough so that each of the first chambers 22 has a corresponding opening 24. Each of the irst chambers 22 is adapted to slidably receive a key 25 therein through its opening 24. As illustrated, each key 25 has a ridge 26 therein adjoining the second chamber 23 and the ridge 26 has a notch 27 and forms a shoulder 28. The partition means 2t] has a lirst aperture 29 connecting the rst and second chambers 22 and 23 adjacent the front panel 13 and a second aperture 30 connecting the iirst and second chambers 22 and 23 adjacent the rear panel 14 for each of the key compartments 16.

Extending longitudinally in each of the second chambers 23 is a spring means 40 formed out of a substantially V-shaped spring 41. Each of the V-shaped springs 41 has a rst pawl 42 on its front arm 43 which is adapted to be inserted into and removed from its corresponding rst chamber 22 through the iirst partition aperture 29.

a Also, the V-shaped spring 41 has a second pawl 44 on its rear arm 45 which is adapted to be inserted into and removed from its corresponding lirst chamber 22 through the second partition aperture 30. The apex of the V- spring means 41 is formed by a button means 46 having a crown 47 thereon. The button means 46 extends through its corresponding compartment hole 19 in the top cover 11 and is biased by the V-shaped spring 41 to extend out of said top cover hole 19 and is adapted to be pushed into the second chamber 23 manually by finger. On each of the arms 43 and 45 between the button means 46 and the pawls 42 and 44, respectively, are fulcrum means 43 and 49, respectively The fulcrum means 48 and 49 are adapted to position the pawls 42 and 44 with respect to the irst chamber 22 when the button means 46 is operated.

Extending perpendicularly to the key compartments 16 adjacent to the front panel 13 is a movable retaining bar means 50. The retaining bar means 50 comprises an angle bar 51 longitudinally slidable in a pathway formed by `a series of notches 52 in each of the top cover fins 17. The angle bar 51 has a plurality of detents 53 so that each of the key compartments 16 has its corresponding detent 53. The angle bar 51 is adapted to partially block the front panel opening 24 of each chamber 22 by aligning the detent 53 therewith. A spring 54 biases the angle bar 51 so as to align its detents 53 with the front panel openings 24. Also, the angle bar 51 has a boss 55 mounted therein adapted to manually slide the angle bar 51 so that the detents 53 move sideways into adjoining recesses 56 and the front panel openings 24 become unblocked thereby.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1-8, the key carrier 10 of the present invention permits extremely simple, selective positioning of the keys therein. First, it should be noted that the crowns 47 of the buttons 46 are placed in staggered rows so that each individual crown 47 is remote from adjacent crowns. Additionally, the key 25 is in a withdrawn position, as illustrated in solid line in FIG. 4-6. In such position, the second pawl 30 bears against the shoulder 28 of the ridge 26 to securely hold the key 25 in the key carrier 10. When it is desired to extend the key, the key carrier is tilted so that the front panel 13 is facing downward and the crown 47 is manually pushed inwardly. The depression of the crown 47 causes the button 46 to move into the second chamber 23. In turn, the pawls 29 and 30 are removed from the irst chamber 22 into the second chamber 23 by the motion of the button 46 translated through the fulcrum means 48 and 49, respectively. The key 25 then drops downwardly until the shoulder 28 of the ridge 26 strikes the detent 53. When this occurs, the crown 47 may be released and the pawls 29 and 30 inserted into the first chamber 22 as in their initial position. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the key 25 is in its extended position the pawl 29 is inserted into the notch 27 of the ridge 26 of the key 25. To again withdraw the key 25 within the key carrier merely involves reversing the above-described sequence of actions. In other words, the key carrier 10 is tilted upwardly so that the front panel 13 faces upwardly and the crown 47 is manually depressed. The key 25 will then slide back into the key carrier and when the crown 47 is released, the pawl 30 will bear against the shoulder 28 of the key 25 to hold the key 25 within the carrier lil.

To remove one or more keys 25 from the key carrier 10, the same operation set forth above for projecting a key is followed. However, in addition, the boss 55 is also simultaneously manually depressed. Consequently, the detents 53 no longer block the front panel openings 24 so that the keys which have their button crowns 47 depressed will simply fall out of the key carrier 10. Conversely, the reverse procedure is followed to insert a key 25 into the key carrier 10.

Many other specific embodiments of the present invention will be obvious to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. For example, as illustrated, the wall means 15 and the partition means 20 are continuous. However, if desired, they could be replaced by a plurality of ribs and cross-struts which would position the spring means 40 and the keys 25. Also, the detents 53 could be moved from their locking position by rotating the angle bar 51 in either direction about its axis instead of sliding it sideways.

There are many features in the present invention which clearly show the significant advance the present invention represents over the prior art. Consequently, only a few of the more outstanding features will be pointed out to illustrate the unexpected and unusual results attained by the present invention. One feature of the present invention is the positioning of the button means 46 and their corresponding crowns 47 in staggered rows so that the key carrier 10 is compact and durable and yet the individual crowns 47 are remote from the adjoining crowns. Another feature of the present invention is the use of a simple wire means operated merely by pushing inwardly on a button to selectively position the key in the key carrier and thus complicated mechanisms are avoided. Still another feature of the present invention is the simple means utilized to insert and remove keys from the key carrier simply by pushing on a second button concurrently while concurrently depressing the button means of the key which is to be removed. Thus, by a simple spring-biased bar, one or more keys may be easily removed without disturbing the remaining keys in the key carrier.

It will be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention and it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto. All substitutions, alterations and modiiications of the present invention which come within the scope of the following claims or to which the present invention is readily susceptible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure are considered part of the present invention.

I claim:

1. An economical, simple key chain adapted to selectively position a plurality of keys in individual compartments and to permit easy insertion and removal of keys therefrom, comprising:

(a) a container having a top cover and a bottom cover with front and rear panels and a plurality of spaced, parallel wall means extending between said covers and said panels to form a plurality of individual key compartments, said top cover having a plurality of holes therethrough so that each of said key compartments has a corresponding hole;

(b) partition means between and substantially parallel to said top and bottom covers, said partition means:

(I) being adapted to separate each of said key compartments into a first chamber adjoining said bottom cover and a second chamber adjoining said top cover, said front panel having a plurality of openings therethrough so that each of said iirst chambers has a corresponding opening and each of said rst chambers being adapted to slidably receive a key therein through its opening, and

(II) having a rst aperture therein connecting said chambers adjacent said front panel and a second aperture therein connecting said chambers adjacent said rear panel for each of said key compartments;

(c) a substantially V-shaped spring means extending longitudinally in each of said second chambers, each of said spring means having:

(I) a rst pawl on its front arm adapted to be in serted into and removed from its corresponding first chamber through said first partition aperture;

(II) a second pawl on its rear arm adapted to be inserted into and removed from its corresponding first chamber through said second partition aperture;

(III) abutton means adjoining the apex of said spring means and extending through its corresponding compartment hole in said top cover, said button means being biased by said spring means to extend out of said top cover hole and adapted to be pushed into said second chambers; and

(IV) fulcrum means on each of said arms between said button means and said pawls adapted to position said pawls with respect to said first chamber when said button means is operated; and

(d) a movable retaining bar means extending substantially perpendicular to said key compartments adjacent to said front panel, said retaining bar means:

(I) having a plurality of detents so that each of said key compartments has its corresponding detent, and

(II) being adapted to partially block said front panel openings by aligning said detents therewith.

2. A key carrier as stated in claim 1 wherein said panels are formed by extensions of said top and bottom covers.

3. A key carrier as stated in claim l wherein said wall means is formed by a plurality of fins extending inwardly from said top cover and from said bottom cover with the leading edges of each adjacent pair of top and bottom fins adjoining each other.

4. A key carrier as stated in claim l wherein said partition means comprises a single plate.

5. A key carrier as stated in claim 1 wherein said button means forms the apex of said spring means.

6. A key carrier as stated in claim 1 wherein said retaining bar means is longitudinally slidably and springbiased to align said detents with said front panel openings.

7. An economical, simple key carrier adapted to selectively position a plurality of keys in individual compartments and permit easy insertion and removal of keys therefrom, comprising:

compartments into a first chamber adjoining said bottom cover and a second chamber adjoining said top cover, each of said first chambers having a hole communicating therewith through said front portion of said key carrier and each of said first chambers being adapted to slidably receive a key therein through its opening, and

(II) having a first aperture therein connecting said chambers adjacent said front portion and a second aperture therein connecting said chambers adjacent said rear portion for each of said key compartments;

(c) spring means extending longitudinally in each of said second chambers, each of said spring means having:

(I) a first pawl adjacent said front panel adapted to be inserted into and removed from its corresponding iirst chamber through said first partion aperture,

(II) a second pawl adjacent said rear panel adapted to be inserted into and removed from its corresponding first chamber through said second partition aperture,

(III) a button means adjoining its central portion and extending through its corresponding compartment hole in said top cover, said button means being biased by said spring means to extend out of said top cover hole and adapted to be pushed into said second chamber, and

(IV) fulcrum means on said spring means be tween each of said pawls and said button means adapted to position said pawls with respect to said rst chamber when said button means is operated; and

(d) a movable retaining bar means extending substantially perpendicular to said key compartments adjacent to said front portion, said retaining bar means:

(I) having a plurality of detents so that each of said key compartments has its corresponding detent, and

(II) being adapted to partially block said first chamber openings by aligning said detents therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,008,398 Mangan July 16, 1935 2,344,581 Ziegeweid Mar. 21, 1944 2,387,319 Evans Oct. 23, 1945 2,690,666 Engel et al. Oct. 5, 1954 

7. AN ECONOMICAL, SIMPLE KEY CARRIER ADAPTED TO SELECTIVELY POSITION A PLURALITY OF KEYS IN INDIVIDUAL COMPARTMENTS AND PERMIT EASY INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF KEYS THEREFROM, COMPRISING: (A) A CONTAINER HAVING A TOP COVER AND A BOTTOM COVER WITH A FRONT AND A REAR POSITION AND WALL MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID COVERS BEING ADAPTED TO FORM A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL KEY COMPARTMENTS AND SAID TOP COVER HAVING A PLURALITY OF HOLES THERETHROUGH SO THAT EACH OF SAID KEY COMPARTMENTS HAS A CORRESPENDING HOLE; (B) PARTITION MEANS BETWEEN SAID TOP AND BOTTOM COVERS, SAID PARTITION MEANS: (I) BEING ADAPTED TO SEPARATE EACH OF SAID KEY COMPARTMENTS INTO A FIRST CHAMBER ADJOINING SAID BOTTOM COVER AND A SECOND CHAMBER ADJOINING SAID TOP COVER, EACH OF SAID FIRST CHAMBERS HAVING A HOLE COMMUNICATING THEREWITH THROUGH OF SAID FIRST CHAMBERS BEING ADAPTED TO SLIDABLY RECEIVE A KEY THEREIN THROUGH ITS OPENING, AND (II) HAVING A FIRST APERTURE THEREIN CONNECTING SAID CHAMBERS ADJACENT SAID FRONT PORTION AND A SECOND APERTURE THEREIN CONNECTING SAID CHAMBERS ADJACENT SAID REAR PORTION FOR EACH OF SAID KEY COMPARTMENTS; (C) SPRING MEANS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY IN EACH OF SAID SECOND CHAMBERS, EACH OF SAID SPRING MEANS HAVING: (I) A FIRST PAWL ADJACENT SAID FRONT PANEL ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED INTO AND REMOVED FROM ITS CORRESPONDING FIRST CHAMBER THROUGH SAID FIRST PARTION APERTURE, (II) A SECOND PAWL ADJACENT SAID REAR PANEL ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED INTO AND REMOVED FROM ITS CORRESPONDING FIRST CHAMBER THROUGH SAID SECOND PARTITION APERTURE, (III) A BUTTON MEANS ADJOINING ITS CENTRAL PORTION AND EXTENDING THROUGH ITS CORRESPONDING COMPARTMENT HOLE IN SAID TOP COVER, SAID BUTTON MEANS BEING BIASED BY SAID SPRING MEANS TO EXTEND OUT OF SAID TOP COVER HOLE AND ADAPTED TO BE PUSHED INTO SAID SECOND CHAMBER, AND (IV) FULCRUM MEANS ON SAID SPRING MEANS BETWEEN EACH OF SAID PAWLS AND SAID BUTTON MEANS ADAPTED TO POSITION SAID PAWLS WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST CHAMBER WHEN SAID BUTTON MEANS IS OPERATED; AND (D) A MOVABLE RETAINING BAR MEANS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID KEY COMPARTMENTS ADJACENT TO SAID FRONT PORTION, SAID RETAINING BAR MEANS: (I) HAVING A PLURALITY OF DETENTS SO THAT EACH OF SAID KEY COMPARTMENTS HAS ITS CORRESPONDING DETENT, AND (II) BEING ADAPTED TO PARTIALLY BLOCK SAID FIRST CHAMBER OPENINGS BY ALIGNING SAID DETENTS THEREWITH. 